Bhubaneswar: The civic body will restore the old structures of the Unit-II Market Building and turn it into a tourist destination with Heritage Haat market area.

Spread over 10 acres, the Market Building was constructed during the 1960s and is one of the city's oldest markets. At present, it has a clock tower and a few other old structures built in a British architectural style.

In 2011, the municipal corporation had decided to demolish the main portion and build a modern market complex, but the plans didn't materialise because of opposition from vendors and residents. Now, the civic body has decided to restore the main portion of the market while constructing the modern market at the rear end of the main complex.

"The market building is located at a very central location. It has unique structures, which need to be restored and developed. We held a discussion with our councillors and other officials and decided to develop it into a Heritage Haat," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

"The plan is to complete the conversion before November so that people coming for the Men's Hockey World Cup will benefit. We are working on the roadmap," said a civic official.

Senior citizens said the building was built as a replica of the Rani Gumpha of Udaygiri Hills. "It was build in a circular formation and has historical significance. It should be preserved," said octogenarian Ananta Charan Pati, a resident of Tankapani Road.

The building is one of the city's busiest and cheapest shopping areas and houses shops for apparels, foods, fancy items, and home decor.

"I love to shop at Market Building. It is also a good hangout place. If maintained properly, it has the potential to become a tourist attraction," said Nitesh Hota, a student.